By Jonathan Norton
Directed by Nikki Mirza
A New Play for Young Audiences
Touring schools in March and April 2024
Public performances at La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW FESTIVAL at UCSD on April 6 and 7, 2024
ABOUT THE SHOW
Abeba in the Tall Grass, written by Jonathan Norton and directed by Nikki Mirza, is about a fifth-grade aspiring horticulturist and the urban garden that has become her sacred space. Through encounters with the school goof-offs, she realizes that, like plants need water and light to flourish, people need friendship and community to thrive.
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ABOUT THE POP TOUR
One of La Jolla Playhouse’s signature Learning and Engagement programs, the Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour is an annual world-premiere, Playhouse-commissioned production that brings the magic of theatre to San Diego classrooms. Launched in 1987, the POP Tour can be accessed by schools, libraries and community centers. Prior to each performance, a Playhouse teaching artist visits each school, either in person or virtually, to engage students in an interactive workshop that explores issues and themes at the core of the play. The Playhouse also provides schools with an interactive standards-based engagement guide that enables educators to integrate the play into their curriculum, including exciting interviews with the cast and the creative team. Ideal for students in grades 3 – 6.
INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE POP TOUR? ADOPT A SCHOOL!
Join us in supporting Learning & Engagement programs with a gift beyond your annual giving. Our donors play a crucial role in supporting the POP Tour by sponsoring performances at specific schools in need. These schools have already applied to host the program but require financial assistance to make it possible. When a donor is matched with a school, they have the opportunity to attend the performance and workshop, allowing them to share in the students’ experience of watching the play and participating in the post-show discussion with the cast. Your generosity ensures that every student, regardless of their school’s financial situation, can benefit from the POP Tour’s educational programming. Thank you!
$10,000
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Community Learning Circle
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Hosted lunch and a special performance at a local school.
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Invitation to attend Learning & Engagement meet and greets, workshops, rehearsals and private performances.
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Annual support of all Learning & Engagement programs including POP Tour, student matinees, JumpStart Theatre, Level Up, Youth Conservatory, Honors Programs and more.
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Annual Director Circle benefits
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$5,000
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Fully underwrite 1 performance at a school.
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Invitation to attend other Learning & Engagement events including student matinees, JumpStart Theatre showcase, Conservatory showcase.
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Reserved seating during the POP Tour performance at the Without Walls (WOW) Festival.
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Annual VIP Celebration Circle benefits.
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$2,500
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Partially underwrite 1 performance at a school.
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Invitation to POP Tour first reading.
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Invitations to kick-off event with cast and crew.
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Backstage tour of POP Tour set.
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Annual Actors Circle benefits.
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$1,000
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Support for building of the travel set and travel expenses to and from schools.
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Invitation to attend a POP Tour performance.
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POP Tour supporter pin.
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Annual Inner Circle benefits.
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$500
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Support for pre-performance workshop and curriculum materials.
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Thank you note from participating schools and students.
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Annual Center Stage Club benefits.
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$250
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Help with transportation costs of the POP Tour.
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Annual Ovation Club benefits
To learn how you can support our Theatre for Young Audiences programs, please contact Associate Director of Philanthropy Keely Daximillion, at kdaximillion@ljp.org or (858) 228-3084.
La Jolla Playhouse Gratefully Acknowledges the Generous Institutional Support
of our Learning & Engagement Donors
Corporate support provided by:
Government support provided by:
Foundation support provided by:
Samuel I. and John Henry Fox Foundation
Pratt Memorial Fund
John and Marcia Price Family Foundation
San Diego Scottish Rite Community Foundation
Individual support provided by:
Tony and Margaret Acampora
Dede and Mike Alpert
Christa Burke
Maureen and Lawrence Cavaiola
Wendy Gillespie*
Jim Gilmore
Lynn Gorguze and The Honorable Scott Peters*
Gerald and Ingrid Hoffmeister Fund, The San Diego Foundation
Linda Lenhard and Mark Kritchevsky
Dr. Ken Melville and Dr. Sabina Wallach
Ilene Mittman, in memory of Dr. Charles Mittman
Perlmeter Family Foundation*
Maryanne and Irwin Pfister*
Julie and Lowell Potiker Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation*
Karen Quiñones, The Quiñones Family Trust
Judy and Alan Robbins
Robin and Larry Rusinko*
Swanna and Alan Saltiel, Dan Cameron Family Foundation*
Karen and Jeff Silberman*
Elizabeth and Joseph Taft Revocable Trust
Cynthia Walk
Peggy Ann Wallace*
Bobbi Warren
*Community Learning Circle
Listing as of November 17, 2023
Land Acknowledgment
La Jolla Playhouse acknowledges the land on which our theaters sit as the un-ceded territory of the Kumeyaay Nation. Today, the Kumeyaay people continue to maintain their political sovereignty and cultural traditions as vital members of the San Diego community. Their contributions to our region are tremendous and we thank them for their stewardship
